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Miss Warner'3 Adventure.
SPRINKLE ! rain ! showor ! right down
on Millie Warner's tasteful little lint
:iud graceful shoulders, unprotected save by
a thin shawl, notwithstanding tho beseech
ing glance of tho prettiest pair of hazel .
eyes, that ever looked up to a cloud in that
way. The inexorable, stony-hearted thing
just poured out its deluging treasuries
without minding them tho least bit in tho
world. ' :
t Now, Millio wasn't afraid of a shower
unless thoro was thunder and lightning;
but sho had quite a regard for her pretty
hat, which was not two weeks old, and did
hate dreadfully to have it spoiled.
Nevertheless, when Millio came to a large
white farm-house, sho very gladly, and
rather hastily for just then thoro was a
loud peal of thunder opened tho gate
and went up tho flower-bordered path to
the house, and knocked for admittance.
Nobody answered, and, as another peal of
thunder was heard, accompanied by a vivid
llash of lightning, Millie entered without
ceremony. Sho took in at a glance the
contents of the first room sho came toa
largo square room, plainly but neatly fur
nished the cane-seated chairs, tho pretty
chintz-covered loungo, book-case filled with
books and sheet-music; tho violin in its case
in the corner, tho vases of faded flowers,
and the Cow ornament on the mantel
There was no one thoro, but sho heard
childish, voices in tho room, and again
knocked. A dark-eyed girl of ten or eleven
years, opened the door.
Millied explained why she was tlicro.
With tho case and good manners of out
much oldor, the child bado her welcome,
placed a chair near the stove, and took
Millie's dripping hat and shawl.
"I was just beginning to get dinner, that
was tho reason I didn't hear you knock. It
will be a long time before tho shower is
over, and you must stay with us to dinner.
It will bo ready by the time lien comes;
but that will not bo for about a half or
ibreo quarters of an hour."
"Es, diunio'll le weddy when Ben turns,"
lisped and laughed a little girl of three
years.
Tho elder child, whoso name was 1 let tie,
resumed:
"I can't get a very good dinner, I ain't
quite old enough, but lien says I do nicely.
Ho puts it on for ino, and I see to it. But
he does not allow me to tako off kettles,
for fear I will burn or scald myself; but I
.think I am large enough to do that. I like
to have everything ready for him to cat
when he comes in tired and hungry. I
an't make biscuit I wish I could, for
lien likes them ever so much; but Martha,
who oomei in to make bread for us, says
she will teach me."
, " Where is your mother?" asked Millio
of the little Eva, when Mottle was out of
the room.
"We is got no in udder but lion," the
little ono lisped.
When Hetty came back, Minnie said:
' Now I have got nicely warmed, and my
dress will dry just as well at work a sit
ting still; so I will help you got dinner.
If you like, I will tuako some biscuit, and
we will havo dinner ready in a very short
lime." .
llotty was delighted, Bon would be glud.
Might she look ou and learn how t
Millie was young and frank, and gay, and
she and the children soon became very woll
. . - .1 it .i t . Bi .. i I
presently, trying n jtatoe with a fork:
' " The potatoes are done. I will pour the
water of so, and then put them on again to
net dry. That will make them mcally. In
a few moments we will peel Jltem, and then
dinner will le nil ready except taking it
The "filmier seemed very meagre to littlo
Hetty as sho ran over the items in hor
mind potatoes, peas, pork, biscuit, buttor,
cucumbers, milk and water. Sho had
wanted to make tea for her v'sitor, but she
declined decidedly. Tho poor child said,
apologetically: ,
" When futhor and mother wore alivo wo
used to havo a good many things for dinner,
and Martha, our hired girl, used to got
thorn all, but when they died, and Squire
John said ho bought a mortgage on our
farm, and that we had got to pay every
cent tho day it was duo, or lose everything,
we had to do without a good many things,
and are very poor now, and Ben is afraid
wo can't have enough to pay it, and they
all say wo may hok for no ' mercy from
Squire Johns, for he is a very hard man to
tho poor, and ho has always wanted our
farm, because it joins somo of his own land
whore ho wants to build. I heard all about
it when one of tho neighbors was talking
with Ben, though ho didn't want mo to
know about it."
Millio had listened to this with a curious
mixture of feelings, for Squiro Johns was
a declared lover of hers, and though sho had
not accepted him, she hod been both pleas
ed and Haltered with his attention but had
certainly given him no encouragement. He
was to receive his final answer in three
days from that time, and sho was not sure
tho answer reserved and laid away for that
tinio was " no." True Millio was not in
lovo with him, but bIio hod waited so long
in vain for that estactio stato of feeling sho
had reatl and hcaid so much about, that
sho was quite decided that sho was not ca
pable of love, and that to liko any ono was
as much as she could expoct. But sho
cortainly liked Squiro Johns as well if not
better than any one, ami his love must
certainly bo disinterested, for he could not
know that . But now Millie stopped.
Could ho not ? Might ho not have found out
in somo way? If this story were true,
would such a man be likely to marry a poor
girl? For Millio Warner was really an
heiress in a small way. She was solo Inher
itor of a tine unencumbered farm from her
father, and five thousand in bank stock.
But the farm was two hundred miles south
of this town, where sho was visiting a cous
in and nobody knew of it; and during her
visit sho had helped her cousin in hor work
as she had always helped her mother when
sho was at home capable, industrious little
girl that sho was.
This story agreed with Uiiugs that she
had heard hinted at, and own that tho next
moment vat smoothed over, for Squire
Johns was a rich and influential man, and
people could not aiTord, without some
reason, to loso his favor. 61u remembered
it all now. Could he in reality bo such a
scoundrel?
She could judge better about tho truth of
tho story when sho had seen Ben. Who
was Ben? Two or three inquiries had
amounted to nothing. The children spoke
as though everybody knew who Bon was.
Was ho an uncle, cousin, hired man or
what? Evidently somebody very old by
tho way Hetty spoke of him. Whoever it
was, what would he think of horinstrusion?
But she couldn't help what sho thought,
and she shrugged her shoulders as she
looked out at the still pouring rain.
"Bon has turn 1" echoed tho littlo one,
clapjing her hands, as he came in, bright
and smiling.
As lie came in ho caught her uj in his
arms aud gave hor a kiss, while she laugh
ed and shouted ; but his eyes wero seeking
the stravgor.
llotty said, prettily : "My brotlier Bon."
Then to him ; "This lady got caught is
tho shower, Ben, and is staying until it
clears np. 8bo has been so kind as to holp
me to get dinner, aud has made somo splen
did biscuit."
They both stood muto a moment, she
with surprise at the real Bon, young, hand
some, and well-bred ; he with admiration,
and a strange now fooling he oould not do
flue. He had hardly bade her welcome,
with return of his solf-possossion, when
there was a loud rap at the street door,
llotty went to the door, came back pale, and
whispered to Ben t "Squire Johns."
Millie drew quickly back from the half
open door. Ben went in to his visitor,
closing the door after him, but every word
was distinctly heard by Millio, for Squiro
Johns did not speak In tho low, suave tone
she was accustomed to hoar him, but loud
and peremptory.
' f am in lin&tj. vmimr niun I liiMt ktmv.
l - " a , - i 1
I ped to say that the time for the payment
for the money due me, being day after to
morrow, if it is not ready I shall be obliged
immediately to resort to severe measures."
"Impossible 1 exclaimed the young man
in a surprised and excited tone, "you are
very much mistaken. It is not duo ' until
the 28th, it is now but the ,18th. At that
time, if I sell the piece of land I partly ex
pect to do, I hope, with somo other money
coming in, to be able to pay it." '
" You are laboring undor a singular
mistake young man. Hero is ' tho .mort
gage, and you can see for yourself that it
is the 18th."
" Let mo sco it."
Tho figures danced upon tho page. IIo
passed his hands over his eyes and calmed
himself with a great effort. IIo grew ashy
pale as he read.
" It reads so, certainly, but I can't un
derstand it." Ho went to the desk.
" Here is a note my father mado of tho
circumstance, and it is the 28th, and he
was a very sure methodical man, and would
not bo likely to make a mistake that might
bo fraught with very important and evil
consequences to him. I bolicve " a sud
den suspicion coming into his mind, as he
detected a lurking triumph in Squiro John's
eye, I believe thoro is somo villainy about
this matter, and that you aro at tho bottom
of it," ho exclaimed excitedly, fixing his
eyes firmly upon tho lawyer, who changed
color in spito of himself.
" Bo careful what you say, young man,
asyoumaygct yourself into trouble," ho
said angrily.
" Yes, sir, I believe you are a base vil
lian ! I remember you aro the lawyer who
mado out tho mortgage at tho time, and
know that you have been aching for years
to get hold of this property. If there is
justice in law you shall bo exposed !"
" In the nieantimo yon hail better have
the money ready," cooly and insultingly.
" That is imposible, as you know. You
know very well I could not raise so much
money in two days, when you mado your
diabolical plans.
"Then you know the consequences."
"And what is to become of my young
sisters?"
" I neither know nor care. That is your
lookout."
The ypung man strove to repress his pas
sion yet.
"Squire Johns, by tho 28th I can pay
that debt, I expect."
" That will do you no good. It must Imj
ready by the 18th, or I tako possosion. I
might have shown you morcy but for your
insinuations. Now, none."
" That is falso 1 and you know it. You
never showed mercy in your lifo. You
havo won your ill gotten wealth by robbing
tho widow and the fatherless. If you tako
this property,mayit bring you a curse with
it, now and evermore 1 But whilo it is In
my hands I'll kick you from it, you das
tardly scoundrel?"
The Squire was a small man as well as a
coward, and whilo ho was being Iguouiin
iously ejected from the house by tho angry
nnd excited young man, Hetty was crouch
ed down close to Millie, pale and frghtcned.
Eva was sobbing in her lap, aud Millie it
would be difficult to describe .her feelings.
Ben ditl not come into the room for some
time afterward, When ho did, ho looked
haggard and aged, and was passing through
hastily, as if to escape notice, when Millio,
businoHS-like and straightforward littlo girl
that sho was, began :
"Mr. Hazwoll, I want to talk with you
a few minutes. There would be no use in
pretending that I haven't heard what you
and Squire Johns have been saying, for I
have heard every word. I think I know of
some ono w ho can help you ; but first may
I ask you a few questions?"
Ben, at first, ltioked displeased and
haughty ; but her kind, straightforward
manner disarmed him. He bowed assent.
" What is tho amount of this mortgage?"
"Two thousand dollars and Interest,"
was tho brief reply.
" What is tho total value of the farm ?"
"My father valued it ten thousand dol
lars." " Are thoro otlier mortgages ?"
"Nono."
" Very well ; I am quite positive I know
some ono who can loan you the money. I
am Millie Warner. Call on me to-morrow,
at my cousin's, Mrs. Sanford's.
Ben's dreams wero strangely mixed up
that night with mortgages and hazel eyes.
The next day was a long time of susjeiise
and anxiety, and early In tho evening
found him at the Sandford'a, where ho
was received by Millio herself.
Tho next morning, accompanied by a
uelghlxir, he called on Squire Johns.
" Ho was at breakfast," the servant said.
An angry light shono in Squire Johns'
cold, gray ey, when he heard who was his
visitor.
" How dare he come here ! I warrant,
though, tho chap isn't quite so high and
mighty as he was tho lust time I saw him.
Humblo enough this morning. I would
hold out hopes of mercy until he grovels
nnd begs my pardon grovels low as ho
laid me, and then I'll bo rovonged. To
morrow, this splendid farm, added to my
other property, and the possession of Millio
Warner's hand and fortune, will make me
a rich and happy man, indeed. I will tnnt
nlizo him to his heart's content."
IIo went leisurely into the other room.
"You are early this morning, young
man. I conclude you havo come to pay
tho money," ho saitl ironically.
" That's my errand," replied Ben cooly.
Squire Johns started back aghast and
thunderstruck.
"Do you mean to say you havo raised
tho money ?"
" I do, and I havo brought Mr. Foster
to prove that it is all right. There is two
thousand dollars. We havo each counted
it. There is the interest. Now I will tako
up tho mortgage Squiro Johns."
J .avid, and trembling witli passion,
Squiro Johns was compelled to yield tho
mortgage and execute tho usual release.
" Now, Squiro," said Bon, "I have ono
word more to say : Don't you ever daro set
foot on my land again, or I'll kick you off.
Mind that. Nor over dare to spoak to mo
again. I don't know such a rascal as you!'
" I'll have satisfaction of you !' and tho
Squiro literally foamed with passion.
"Havo it, and welcome," replied Ben,
cooly, "as long as you haven't got the
farm. Come, Foster."
There was no trace of tho violent passion
to which tho Squiro gave free license, when
tho next evening, ho drove up to Sanford's.
Ho looked happy and smiling. There was
a queer littlo smilo on Millio Warner's face
as sho saw him through the closed blinds.
It was a littlo ominous that ho was com
pelled to wait in tho parlor alono five, ten,
fifteen minutes. Still more ominous that
shecamo in at last, distant and unsmiling.
Still, ho could hardly believe ho heard
aright when, to his suit, she gave a prompt,
uncompromising "no !" Ho urgod ; she
was Arm. Ho threatened ; she flashed out,
brave nnd indignant, something of what sho
knew and felt, and spurned him and his
suit with scorn and loathing.
"Such a threat to a girl is worthy of you!
of a picco with your conduct to tho Haz
wells 1" she ended.
"To tho Ilazwells 1 What do you know
about them ? Perhaps you are tho one who
loaned tho money to them ?"
"Yes, it was I. I went there for shelter
from tho storm. I hoard it all ; every
word."
Tho Squiro muttered curses low aud doop,
but Millio did not stay to hear them. Sho
only saw him rido away,',with that samo
queer littlo smile on hor face.
Squire Johns rodo a long distance out of
his way, six months after, to avoid a wed
ding party just returning from church
Ben Ilazwell and Millie, his wifo which
ho canto very near blundering upon.
A Balloon Elopes with a Lady.
A Dos Moines paper says: Mr. Strong,
who is now playing with tho Irwin troup in
this city, was last season the asroant of Do
Haven's circus and made several hundred
ascensions, some of which were fraught
with narrow escapes. In the ascension that
Mr. Strong mado from Shellbar, Mo., he
met with a peculiar accident.
All was ready for the aerial trip, and just
as he was about to step into the basket,
some of the men at tho ropes let go, trip
ing him up and he hung by his legs, tang
led in the cords. For a'moment the bal
hHn swayed to and fro, and Mr. Strong
caught at the first object he could grasp,
aud that was a lady, catching hor around
the waist just as thq balloon leaped into
the air. , i:
Up they went in this strango position,
with the crowd looking on in breathless
horror. The lady thus unwillingly taken
aloft, fainted and hung a dead weight In
his arms, but Mr. Strong kept hut presence
of mind, and being an accomplished airo
naut, at hut made the descent, landing the
lady safely amid the cheers of the assem
bled throng. .
More Rail Itoad Accidents.
A passenger train on the R. I. and St.
Louis R. R. collided with a freight train on
the morning of the 7th Inst, making a ter
rible wreck. Tun persons were killed out
right and forty wounded. Tho cars caught
I fire and five persons were burned to death.
Telegraphic Trick.
A San Francisco paper says : Two young
men, telegraphic operators, boarding at one
of our leading third class hotels, and being
of somewhat hilarious disposition found
great amusement -in carrying on conver
sation with each other at table by ticking
fin their plates with a knife, fork or spoon.
For the Information of those not familiar
with tho telegraphy it may be well to state
that a combination of sounds or ticks con
stitute tho telegraphic alphabctjUiid persons
familiar with theso sounds can convcrso
thereby as . intelligibly as with spoken
words. Tho young lightning strikers as
already stated, wero in the habit of indulg
ing in tho tablo talkjby this means when
ever they desired to say anything private
to each other. For instance, No. 1 woultl
pick up his knife and tick off somo such
remark as this to No. 2 :
"Why is this buttor liko tho offense of
Hamlet's uncle?"
No. 2 "I give it up."
No. 1 "Because it's rank, and smells to
heaven."
Of courso tho joko is not appreciated by
tho landlord (who sits close by), becauso ho
doesn't understand telegraphic tricks, and
probably ho wouldn't appreciate it much
if he did ; but tho jokers enjoy it immensely
and laugh immoderately, whilo tho other
guests wonder what can bo tho occasion
for this merriment and naturally conclude
that tho operators must bo idiots.
A fow days ago, whilo tho fun-lovinrr
youths wero seated at breakfast, a stout
built young man entered the dining room
with a handsome girl on his arm, whoso
timid, blushing countcnanco showed her
to bo a brido. Tho couple had, in fact, been
married but a day or two previous, and
had como to San Francisco from their
home in Oakland or Mud Springs, or somo
other rural village, for tho purpose of
passing their honeymoon. Tho telegraph
tickers commenced as soon as tho husband
and wifo had seated themselves at tho
tablo.
No. 1 opened the discourse as follows:
" What alovoly littlo pigoon this is along
side of me isn't sho ?"
No. 2 "Perfectly charming; looks as if
butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Just
married. Don't you think so !"
No. 1 "Yes, I should judgo she was.
AVIiat luscious lips she's got t If that
country bumpkin besldo her was out of the
road, I'd givo her a kiss and a hug just for
luck."
No. 3 " Suppose you try It anyhow.
Give hor a littlo nudge under the table with
your knee."
There is no tolling to what extent tho
impudent rascals might havo gone but for
an amusing and entirely unforeseen event.
Tho bridegroom's face had flushed and a
dark scowl was on his brow during tho
progress of the ticking conversation; but
the operators wore too much occupied by
each other to pay any attention to him.
The reader may form somo idea ot tho
young men's consternation whon tho part
ner of the lady picked up hit knifo and
ticked up the following torso but vigorous
message:
. "This lady ismy wife, and as soon as she
gets through with her breakfast I proposo
to wring your nocks you insolent whelps."
Their countenances fell vory suddenly
when the message commenced. By tho'
time it had ended they had lost all appotito
and appreciation for jokes, and slipped out
of the dining room in a very rapid and un
ceremonious manner. Tho bridegroom, . it
seems, was a telegraph operator, and "knew
how it was himself.
A Crowing Dog.
A natural curiosity exists in Decatur, in
the shape of a dog that never barked in his
life, but Instead of indulging in the vocal
oxercise common to the canine family, each
morning imitates the crowing of a rooster.
His owner accounts for this strango pecu
liarity by stating that tho dog was born and
bred in the country, and from his earliest
puphood was separated from all other curs,
enjoying only tho companionship of barn
yard fowls. . Hearing no other sounds to
frequently as the crowing of the cocks, and
doubtless never knowing that his species
enjoyed tho sole ownership of another and
different sort of music, ho began to Imitate
the matutinal exercises of his feathered
companions, in which ho lias at last acquir
ed a proficiency which surprises and
charms every one who has hail the felicity
of listening to his performances.